Smoky & Creamy Ratatouille Recipe

Smoky & Creamy Ratatouille Recipe
Ratatouille – we probably all know the famous movie, but have you tried making it at home? Try my Smoky & Creamy Ratatouille recipe, made with thinly-sliced tomatoes, zucchini and eggplant layered into a casserole dish. The vegetables are topped with an aromatic tomato sauce, then baked until the vegetables are tender. It’s super easy to make and one of the most aromatic and delicious dishes ever! I’ve partnered with Pompeian to share my smoky and creamy version of this classic French dish!
Author:
Ingredients
  • 4 large tomatoes
  • 2 medium eggplants
  • 2 yellow zucchinis
  • 2 green squash
  • For Sauce:
  • 2 tbsp Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 large sweet onion, diced
  • 1 large red bell pepper, diced
  • 4 minced garlic cloves
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp herbes de provence
  • Ground black pepper
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp freshy thyme, about 4 sprigs
  • 1 ½ cups crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp Pompeian Organic Balsamic Vinegar
  • 8 to 10 basil leaves, chopped
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • For Topping:
  • 2 to 3 tbsp Pompeian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. For the Creamy Sauce:
  2. Prepare the sauce first. Preheat a large frying pan over medium heat and add a few tablespoons of Pompeian Robust Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Once the olive oil is heated, add the diced pepper and onion. Saute the mixture for 4 to 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent and tender; do not brown. After 2 to 3 minutes, add the minced garlic.
  3. Season the mixture with herbs and spices: smoked paprika, ground black pepper, herbes de provence, thyme and salt. Add the crushed tomatoes, sugar and balsamic vinegar next. Cook the sauce over medium-low heat, simmering for about 5 minutes. Add the chopped basil last, along with the heavy cream. Stir the cream in, then remove from heat.
  4. Making Ratatouille:
  5. Preheat the oven to 375F. Next, prepare the vegetables. Use a very sharp knife or a madeline slicer to cut all vegetables the same thickness, about ⅛th of an inch. Once all the vegetables are sliced, layer them alternating all 4 vegetables. Create small stacks for easy assembly.
  6. To assemble the dish, first spread three-quarters of the sauce into the bottom of a large oval or round casserole dish. Arrange the vegetables in the casserole in a ring around the edge, packing them tightly. Start from the outside of the casserole and work your way in. Spoon the remaining sauce in between the vegetables and around the edges.
  7. For the topping, simply combine a few tablespoons of Pompeian Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil with fresh thyme. Use a pastry brush to brush the oil and thyme over the vegetables. Cover the casserole dish with foil and place into preheated oven. Bake at 375F for 1 hour; 50 minutes covered, then remove the foil, add parmesan cheese and bake for another 10 minutes uncovered. If desired, broil on ‘low’ heat for 5 minutes.
  8. Allow the dish to cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Serve with a warm French baguette.

 

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